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Sale statement: The signing of ex-Ireland full-back Will Addison

Ulster's Will Addison is on the move back to Sale (Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

Gallagher Premiership semi-finalists Sale have confirmed their signing of Will Addison, the former Ireland international, from Ulster.

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It was in mid-February when RugbyPass exclusively reported that the Sharks were poised to snap up their ex-full-back, who swapped Manchester for Belfast in the summer of 2018.

Addison went on to be capped four times by Ireland but with Ulster opting not to offer a new contract, he will now return to Sale on a one-year deal.

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A club website statement read: “Sale have agreed a deal to re-sign former captain Will Addison almost six years after the versatile back left to join Ulster.

“The 31-year-old, who can play centre, on the wing, or full-back, has signed a one-year deal with an option for a further year to re-join Sharks at the end of the current season. Cumbrian Will came through the Sharks academy and played more than 100 games for the club in his first stint.

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“He was named Sharks captain ahead of the 2017/18 season but then left in June 2018 to follow his dream of playing international rugby for Ireland.

“A series of serious injuries since have restricted him to just four Test appearances in the famous green shirt but now fit again, he has made 16 appearances this season for Ulster including two in the Champions Cup.”

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Addison said: “It was really tough to leave Sale, but I did it for the right reasons and I have loved my time in Ulster. I played international rugby for Ireland and that was a huge dream of mine.

“But I have remained a big Sale supporter and I have loved watching the club going from strength to strength in the last couple of years.

“Before I left, Simon Orange told me the club was going places and he was right. To see the crowds in the stadium grow and how much emphasis the club have put on building a connection with the north has been fantastic.

“My best friends are still at Sale – Tommy Taylor was my best man and Josh Beaumont was an usher, and I came through the academy with guys like Ross Harrison, Si McIntyre and Sam James. I have also got a young baby and now is the right time for us as a family to move back.

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“But I wouldn’t move if I didn’t feel like we had a chance of winning something. There are so many brilliant young players here and I can’t wait to play with them and try and help them develop as much as I can.”

Sharks director of rugby Alex Sanderson added: “Will has a big reputation to live up to because reports on his ability and the kind of bloke he was when he was here before reached me before I watched him and spoke to him.

“Most of the staff here have already worked with him, and they tell me he is one of the most gifted players they have worked with and one of the best people they have worked with. That is reason enough to open the doors again and bring him back into the fold.

“On top of that, he is now proving himself to be robust fitness-wise, and he is playing some fantastic rugby, so him wanting to come home is brilliant. He is close friends with guys like Tommy Taylor, Josh Beaumont, and Ross Harrison so we know he will fit in perfectly.

“But it’s not just a fairytale. He wants to come here because of what we are building and what he thinks he can add. It’s great for us to get him and we’re excited to see him play in any of the positions he can play.”

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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